How to Choose the Right Dump Trailer Size for Your Project

Picking a dump trailer size is not complicated, but getting it wrong costs you a trip. Too small and you are making multiple hauls. Too large and you are paying for capacity you did not use. Here is how to think through it for the most common Utah County project types.

The three sizes Gritmoor rents

We keep three dump trailers in service:

• 5×10, 7,000 lb GVWR — two-day minimum, $50/day. Best for light yard cleanouts, small bark or mulch deliveries, and projects with weight-limited tow vehicles. Requires a truck or heavy-duty SUV with a 2 5/16-inch ball and a suitable brake controller.
• 6×12, 10,000 lb GVWR — one-day minimum, $75/day. The most popular size. Handles full garage cleanouts, roofing shingles, concrete, and mid-size landscaping jobs. Fits in most standard driveways and alley spaces.
• 7×14, 14,000 lb GVWR — one-day minimum, $85/day. Built for contractors and large residential projects. Larger volume, higher weight limit. If you are moving gravel, dirt, or mixed demo debris across multiple days, this is usually the one.

By project type

Roofing tear-off

Asphalt shingles weigh roughly 2.5 to 4 pounds per square foot. A standard 2,000 square foot roof runs 50 to 80 squares and can produce 5,000 to 10,000 pounds of material depending on how many layers are coming off. The 6×12 handles most single-story jobs. The 7×14 is the right call for anything two-story or if you are pulling multiple layers.

Yard cleanup and debris

Tree branches, sod, old mulch, and general yard waste are bulky but relatively light. The 5×10 handles a thorough weekend cleanout for most residential yards. If the yard is large or you have been pushing work back for a season, go to the 6×12.

Concrete and masonry removal

Concrete is heavy — roughly 150 pounds per cubic foot. Do not overestimate how much you can load. For a standard sidewalk or small patio, the 6×12 works. For a full driveway or foundation work, call us before booking so we can talk through weight and haul options.

Landscaping materials: dirt, gravel, bark

If you are hauling material IN rather than debris OUT, most of these jobs use the 6×12 or 7×14 depending on volume. Wet soil and road base pack heavy. We can help you estimate what fits based on cubic yards ordered.

Garage and estate cleanouts

Mixed household debris is light by weight but fills volume fast. The 6×12 handles most single-garage cleanouts. The 7×14 is the better call for full estate cleanouts, storage unit cleanouts, or anything where you want one trip instead of two.

Towing requirements

All three trailers require a 2 5/16-inch ball hitch, a 7-pin connector, and a suitable brake controller. Your tow vehicle needs to meet the trailer's loaded GVWR, not just the empty weight. A half-ton pickup typically handles the 5×10 and 6×12 within their load limits. The 7×14 loaded to capacity needs a 3/4-ton or 1-ton truck.

Not sure your vehicle is rated for the load? Text us the truck make, model, and year and we will give you a straight answer before you book.

Delivery versus self-tow

If you do not have a tow vehicle or do not want to deal with it, we offer delivery to your project site. Delivery is priced by mileage from Springville. For most Utah County addresses, it is a practical option that takes the logistics question off the table entirely.

Related reading: What size dump trailer do I need? covers the detailed weight and volume calculations if you want to get more specific before booking.